Augustine Jay-Jay Okocha, a Nigerian footballer

Wikipedia the free online encyclopedia is arguably in error in its information on the hometown of Augustine Jay-Jay Okocha, Nigerian footballer revered for his useful display of skills in the midfield department of the game. The Wikipedia site which maintains and continues to maintain that Okocha, one of Africa’s greatest footballers hails from “Enugu” is not only a goof but an attempt to mislead its audience who rely heavily rely on the esteemed site for useful information.

Augustine Azuka Okocha was actually born in Enugu state but quite arguably Delta State is his state of origin and it was for this reason that his state Government organized a (retirement) testimonial match for the former midfield maestro in Warri Stadium, Delta State. The stadium in which the match was played was waterlogged because it rained ceaselessly, much to the chagrin of the organizers, the state government decided to overhaul the pitch and lay a synthetic surface.

The match which featured World XI and the Super Eagles was largely boycotted by Nigeria football Federation maybe because of the feeling that they were sidelined by the organizers of the testimonial match. John Fashanu, El-Hadji Douf, Daniel Amokachi and Aloy Agu were among those that featured in the match.

The information from Wikipedia misleadingly arrogates Enugu as Okocha’s hometown even more erroneously when it falsely avowed that “In 1990 he joined his hometown club, Nigerian powerhouse Enugu Rangers” That he joined Enugu Rangers in 1990 is not in doubt but that Enugu Rangers is his “hometown club” is mistaken and needs to be corrected for posterity reasons.  Let it be known and understood that Austin Okocha’s hometown is another Igbo speaking town of “Ogwashi-Uku” in Aniocha South Local Government Area of Delta State.

Please take note that Okocha is the second cousin of Nigeria’s erstwhile Minister of Finance, Prof Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and his father is Mr. Alex Okocha, a Railway worker who would later be transferred to Enugu where the master dribbler and entertainer was born. Prof Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala is the daughter of Prof Chukwuka Okonjo, the traditional ruler of Ogwashi-Uku, whose late mother, Madam Dora Mgbodi also bore the name “Okocha” (The Guardian, Sunday August 3, 2008) Okocha’s father could not have taken up the “Citizenship” of Enugu State since I am unaware of any such law in Nigeria.

The Obi of Ogwashi-Uku, HRH (Prof) Chukwuka Okonjo has announced that the Local Stadium in Ogwashi-Uku will named after Jay-Jay Okocha after completion. The Obi has spoken and he will not go back on his words.

In June 2008, Hull City’s manager, Phil Brown reportedly announced that the Hull City which was to be Jay-Jay’s last club had decided not to take up additional option of another year on the Nigerian veteran playmaker’s contract following the expiration of his contract which also expired at the end of that season.

In furtherance he said that:

“The legacy that Jay-Jay Okocha will leave at Hull City is one of success. He will be remembered for his smile, his pure ability as a footballer and for raising the a Club’s aspiration” Brown says “the decision to release the former world Cup star had been taken from an economical standpoint, feeling up his wages for any potential new signings” (Complete Sports, June 6, 2008)

Okocha only played 11 games for Hull City and not 18 as also errornously held in the information supplied by Wikipedia. (See also Complete Sports of same edition for more information)

This information is highly necessary for future references and because I have noticed that the former Super Eagles captain is one Ex-Nigerian International whom much has not be written about compared with his personal exploits and contributions towards the development of football in Nigeria. More so, Okocha’s background or image should not be a maze of contradictions to lovers of football whether now or in time to come.

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About the Author:

Emeka Esogbue hails from Ibusa, Delta State, Nigeria. He is a Historian and International Relations graduate and Public affairs Commentator with lots of tremendous published and unpublished works.



emekaesogbue@yahoo.com